Our Approach to Research

Newman is developing a strong research culture and offers opportunities for research to its members of staff and to students at postgraduate level.

Scholarly work is being undertaken across a wide range of academic and professional disciplines and is attracting external funding from many national and local government sources, as well as from local businesses. Research links with other colleges and universities, at home and abroad, have been established in a number of areas.

The current Research Strategy sets out our plans and activities for the years 2015-2020. Newman University aspires to be recognised regionally, nationally and internationally for the quality of its research and scholarship. Our vision for research is underpinned by the University’s core values as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2014-2020 and set out in its Mission Statement. Building upon the positive outcome of the REF in 2014, the Research Strategy will focus investment on areas likely to be successful in the next REF, whilst enabling early-career researchers to develop their capacity.

Research Stratergy

The current Research Strategy sets out our plans and activities for the years 2015-2020. Newman University aspires to be recognised regionally, nationally and internationally for the quality of its research and scholarship.

Our vision for research is underpinned by the University’s core values as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2014-2020 and set out in its Mission Statement. Building upon the positive outcome of the REF in 2014, the Research Strategy will focus investment on areas likely to be successful in the next REF, whilst enabling early-career researchers to develop their capacity.

The Aims of the Research, Scholarship and Enterprise Strategy 2015-2020

Newman University has identified the following clear aims, consistent with its mission, which will support and lead to the achievement of Research Vision:

Identify and prioritise for investment in high quality research strengths and potential;

Develop research capacity and increase the number of staff engaged in research and knowledge transfer;

Increase the revenue earned from research as the basis for sustainability of the Research Strategy;

Promote a confident research culture which stimulates collaboration within the University and partnerships locally, nationally and internationally;

Provide mechanisms of support for individuals and research groups that will facilitate a productive, creative and innovative research environment.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF), previously known as the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is a national expert assessment process, carried out in 36 broad subject-based units of assessment (UOAs).

Aspects of Research assessed

The research of 154 UK universities was assessed.

Outputs – equating to 65% of the overall results.

Impact – equating to 20% of the overall results.

Environment – equating to 15% of the overall results.

REF Scale

REF 2014 was designed to judge the quality of research over a period of 6 years; assessment was conducted on a 5-point scale:

4* World-leading

3* Internationally excellent

2* Recognised internationally

1* Recognised nationally

UC – Unclassified

Staff were drawn from across the University in areas such as Psychology, Education, Sport, English, History and Theology. As well as those subject areas represented in the names of the Units of Assessment, the Units submitted included colleagues from Drama, ECEC and WCYPF.

25 members of staff submitted in 6 units, a 300% increase on the 2008 submission.

In 2014 Newman’s REF submission encompassed: Education, History and English all judged to have elements of 4* (World-leading) quality; Psychology, Sport and Theology all judged to have elements of 3* (Internationally excellent) quality. REF 2014